Cookies made of pork lard? That doesn’t sound delicious but trust me – it is!
Smalcówki have a long and fascinating history, deeply rooted in Polish culinary traditions. These cookies might be the original inspiration for the more widely known Kolacky cookies. Both are buttery, flaky pastries, but Smalcówki rely on lard for their signature texture, which was a common ingredient in Central and Eastern European kitchens for centuries.
Kolacky, which often use butter or cream cheese, might be a later, more refined adaptation. Whether or not this is true, Smalcówki stand as a delicious and authentic taste of Polish heritage.
How To Make Smalcówki Polish Lard Cookies?
Step 1 – Make The Dough
Start with preheating the oven to 360F / 180C.
Combine the lard, flour, and sour cream, and baking powder until you have a smooth dough.
Step 2 – Make The Lard Cookies
Roll out the dough to about ⅛” thick. Cut into small squares (about 2-3”). Place the jam in the center of each square (½ teaspoon for each).
Pinch the opposite corners of the squares to form the cookie.
Step 3 – Bake & Serve Smalcówki
Place smalcówki on the pan lined with baking paper.
Bake for 15 minutes until golden. Once cooled, a dusting of powdered sugar adds a lovely finishing touch.
What Could Go Wrong?
Even with a simple recipe, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your Smalcówki turn out perfect:
- Too much kneading: Overworking the dough can lead to tough cookies. Handle it gently and just enough to bring it together.
- Lard temperature: Make sure your lard is at room temperature for easy mixing. If it’s too cold, it won’t incorporate well. If it’s too warm, it might make the dough greasy.
- Storage: Store the cooked smalcówki in an airtight container. If exposed to air for too long, they can become dry.
The Surprising Benefits of Lard
While lard might have gotten a bad rap in the past, it’s making a comeback as people rediscover its culinary benefits.
Lard is a good source of monounsaturated fats, which are considered heart-healthy. It also contains some vitamin D. And, of course, it contributes to the wonderful flavor and texture of baked goods like Smalcówki. Using good quality lard can be a part of a balanced diet.
Smalcówki Polish Lard Cookies Recipe
Smalcówki Polish Lard Cookies
Ingredients
Dough
- 7 oz / 200g of lard
- 14 oz / 400g of sour cream
- 14 oz / 400g of all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps of baking powder
Others
- 1 small jar of thick jam
- powdered sugar to dust smalcówki
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 360F / 180C.
- Knead all the ingredients for the dough. Do it on a worktop dust with flour or in a food processor.
- Roll out the dough to about ⅛'' thick.
- Cut into small squares (about 2-3'').
- Place the jam in the center of each square (½ teaspoon for each).
- Pinch the opposite corners of the squares to form the cookie.
- Place smalcówki on the pan lined with baking paper.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Allow to cool. If you want the cookies to be sweeter, dust them with powdered sugar.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
40Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 114Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g
These data are indicative and calculated by Nutritionix
